Vintage 2008 — Paroles de vignerons - Vinparleur

Champagne J.Vignier Vintage selected by Robb Report - “10 Sparkling Wines for Any Occasion”

Add some bubbly to your happiest occasions with a glass poured from one of these elegant vintages.

Permalink, by Champagne J.Vignier

NUMBER 2: J. Vignier 2008 Millésime Brut

Says sommelier Alicia Kemper, who is the wine director at Fundamental LA: “Nathalie Vignier is a 10^th-generation winemaker in Champagne, and a 6^th-generation maker in Cramant (a Grand Cru village). Her grandfather, Paul LeBrun, had 2 hectares in the early 20^th century and became one of the very first independent vignerons after World War I. She has kept the pioneer spirit alive and creates wine that is full of energy, and she has many little experimental projects brewing. The 2008 is one of the best recent vintages in Champagne and is showing beautifully right now. This one has tension, focus, and elegant aromas of honeysuckle, chamomile, and lemon.”

From Robb Report - Food and Drink, 17 January 2018
«La Petite Friandise» from #Champagne J.Vignier - Small big bottle!

Permalink, by Sebastian Nickel

100% Chardonnay, 100% chalky Grand Cru soil, 100% vintage 2008, 100% oak barrel. This nine-year-old champagne belongs to the QVFMR range of Champagne J.Vignier, the “Cuvée Éphémère range”, which was produced only once in a small edition. The unusual size of 375 ml is an idea from Nathalie Vignier, vigneron in Cramant. She wanted an extraordinary wine in small format, “which fits well into the handbag and is excellently suited for an evening in the hotel room when you are on the road.”

The long years spent in the dark and cool cellar have created an astounding, fine bouquet in addition to the typical mineral acidity of Côtes des Blancs champagne: Raspberries and marzipan, pastries and apricots will seduce the connoisseurs, while lime and cherry blossoms, as well as a touch of Thai Basil will enchant the noses and palates of the most versatile wine drinkers.

As it suits for a real delicacy (friandise), this stands up on its own. But its straightforward character, crisp and gentle at the same time, would certainly look forward to be accompanied by a fine selection of macaroons ...
They love #Champagne J.Vignier Millésime 2008!

Permalink, by Sebastian Nickel

“A reticent, spicy bouquet of green apple and starfruit, juicy on the palate with bite and spirit, crisp and long with stewed apple notes. Could still be left to age. A characterful champagne.” (Vinum December 2016 - 17 points)
A good glass of #wine… Le Cèdre #Malbec Vintage 2008

Permalink, by Sebastian Nickel

Two years of wood aging and 6 years of bottle ripening, have given a deep, dark garnet colour to the wine. After 72 months of resting in my dark, cold cellar, I prefer to give him some time and let it open slowly in a decanter.

First, it shows aromas of over ripe dark fruits, as well as some dried fruits and hazelnuts. The nose gives an overall impression of freshness and youth, giving an idea of the great ageing potential the wine still has. Freshness and juiciness also dominate the palate, the mouthfeel is dense and smooth, with powerful, yet fine tannins. Creamy, round and soft on the tongue, it quickly developes spicy aromas, underlain by a hint of cocoa and fresh fruit. Impressed, my palate remains silent, simply enjoying.

FOOD MATCHES FOR CARNIVORES: Veal chops with mushrooms of all kinds, homemade spaetzle and some parsley. Or try a gently oven-cooked lamb rack, together with a sauce smoked ham and broad beans.

FOOD MATCHES FOR HERBIVORES: Forget the veal chops and the lamb rack and cook a beautiful mushroom pan with spaetzle, butter and beans.
Champagne Paul Lebrun Vintage Brut 2008 tasted by SommelierS International

Permalink, by Sebastian Nickel

Visual aspect: Pale yellow, golden color with silvery tinges. Nice brilliance and fine, persisting bubbles.
Nose: Seducing and pleasant. Fragrances of fresh butter and nice minerality.
Palate: Full-bodied and fresh. Very judicious « dosage », excellent balance, white fruits and minerality.
Match with food: Salt-crusted poultry with parsley butter and steamed vegetables of the season.
Comments: Flattering and promising Champagne. Benefits from decanting.
A good glass of - #Champagne Paul Lebrun Vintage 2008

Permalink, by Sebastian Nickel

Here’s a vintage like one we don’t find often in Champagne. Characterized by cool weather conditions and slow bottle maturation, it took no less than five winters in the tranquility of our cellars, to fully develop its bouquet and balance. A light gold color, fast and regular bubbles that burst like sparks at the surface of the wine. The first discrete nose offers citrus, floral and minty aromas, and furtheron, to patiently evolve towards a beautiful complexity of grapefruit, candy, white peaches, pears and quince ... A fruit festival! The mouth is very straight, tight and mineral, with a creamy finish and persisting, verry well integrated bubbles, the flavours being rounded off by some notes of litchi, hazelnut and brioche.

Wheras the roundness and the aromas of dried fruit of the 2004 vintage suggested a Champagne more suitable for aperetif and dessert, the 2008 vintage stands up to lobster and crayfish with elegance and finesse. A Champagne for connoisseurs from an outstanding vintage ...
World class Zin at this tasting... Domaine de l’Arjolle

Permalink, by Sebastian Nickel

World class Zin's at this tasting.. Front row and centre Domaine de l'Arjolle 'Z' 2008! pic.twitter.com/LOtM5Ro9Pg

— Terroir Wines (@TerroirWinesVan) February 28, 2014
A good glass of... Pure #Carignan – Vielles Vignes 2008 from Pierre Cros

Permalink, by Sebastian Nickel

I can’t say that I prefer single varietal wines to cuvees, or vice-versa, but from time to time I appreciate listening to a grape varieties revealing their very own version of a particular terroir. Here we are talking about the 2008 vintage and a centenary Carignan vineyard, growing on a dry and stony terroir called “Les Aspres”, in the Minervois close to Carcassonne.

“In the Languedoc-Roussillon, the biggest wine growing region of France, the 2008 vintage, with its “Indian summer” is very promising,” François Boudou, director of the ICV, a regional wine institute, estimated some five years ago

With its fresh and rainy spring and its warm autumn full of sunshine, the Mediterranean wines of this vintage are considered as being “atypical” and elegant, carried by crispy acidity.

The bouquet of this Carignan is very intensive. First dominated by Hazelnut and raisins, it quickly gains complexity in the glass, showing smells of plums and gingerbread. Particularly smooth and mellow on the palate, it’s a very pleasant drink. Silky tannins underline the crispy acidity on the final, giving impressive length to the wine. It demands for typical winter dishes, for example patiently stewed meat with elegant spices like star anise, cinnamon and cloves.